The windows along 5th Avenue have stories to tell well beyond holiday season and artisans in charge of telling those stories. Window shopping takes on a whole different meaning in the illustrious shopping district. Beloved 5th Ave institution Tiffany & Co. requested Rachel Zoe's expertise in styling the store's most recent windows — the first such collaboration since Andy Warhol was invited to do the same somewhere around 40 years ago. BAZAAR stopped by to check out the chic displays, talk Oscar gowns, fashion week and working with Tiffany's Richard Moore.

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Harper's Bazaar: How did this project come about?

Rachel Zoe: I was asked to design these windows, and it's maybe the first time anyone has done that outside of the Tiffany's team. I think it's pretty cool. I collaborated with Richard [Moore, of Tiffany's]. It's been the most extraordinary experience and obviously I did not even blink before I said yes, I jumped at the chance. It's been a dream. It's been unreal.

HB: Tell me about the process of designing the windows; what was your inspiration?

RZ: Rich and I had a meeting in September and we basically just talked then. We wanted to bring it back to red carpet glamour — which is obviously something that I really identify with. I wanted to project how I see Tiffany and the product, and incorporate that into something that really seemed organic. What came to my mind were the different eras of glamour, fashion and jewelry and how that comes back to this idea of red carpet. Plus, we're launching this around the Academy Awards, so we took those concepts and brought in key pieces of jewelry. Richard's just ridiculously brilliant.

HB: You obviously work with a lot of jewelry brands, what stands out for you about Tiffany?

RZ: Everything. I've had the pleasure of working with Tiffany very closely, especially last year with Anne Hathaway on the Oscars. She wore Tiffany, so it was literally the most fun thing in the world that I had trays and trays of archives and new pieces that are incredible. It's funny I was just walking around the store and realizing all of the incredible new pieces that I want personally, that I can kind of wear everyday and also wear dressy. I think there's also so much history. Breakfast at Tiffany's obviously, but also Elizabeth Taylor and all the most iconic people of our time and in history have worn Tiffany at some point or another.

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HB: The Oscars are quickly approaching, is there anything you can tell us about what you're doing for the Oscars?

RZ: No. [laughing] Not yet!

HB: Have you seen anything this week that you could see styling any Oscar girls in?

RZ: I have actually, so I have some things in the works. People are stitching as we speak.

HB: Is there anything you can tell me — without giving too much away — about what mood you're feeling for red carpet and the Oscars?

RZ: You know what, I think it's less for me about a very big gown right now, but I say that now and my client could end up in one. So I don't want to say I'm not into that, but I'm more into this more modern sense of tailoring and architecture.

HB: What were some of your favorite collections this week?

Zoe: I really loved Marc Jacobs. It's always such a treat, it's always a highlight, it's always a real show. I thought Derek Lam was really beautiful. Rodarte was incredible. Proenza was great last night.

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